Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is proudly owning as much as the viral draft day prank that sparked main backlash and a hefty positive from the NFL. Ulbrich addressed reporters Wednesday after the league hit the Falcons with a $250,000 positive and personally fined him $100,000 for failing to guard confidential draft knowledge.
The incident stems from Ulbrich’s 21-year-old son Jax utilizing a quantity retrieved from his father’s iPad to prank name quarterback Shedeur Sanders, pretending to be a member of the New Orleans Saints throughout the NFL Draft.
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“To begin with, I’d wish to publicly apologize to Shedeur and the Sanders household for what occurred,” Ulbrich stated in a video shared on-line by Atlanta Falcons reporter Joe Patrick. “Second of all, I need to publicly apologize to Mr. Blaine, Terry Fontenot, Coach Morris, and your entire Falcons group.”
“My actions of not defending confidential knowledge had been inexcusable,” he continued. “My son’s actions had been completely inexcusable. And for that, we’re each deeply sorry.”
Ulbrich made it clear that he and his son referred to as each Shedeur and Deion Sanders on to apologize, and emphasised that they settle for the league’s disciplinary motion.
“We take full duty, my son and myself, and we won’t be interesting the positive in any manner,” he added. “Going ahead, I promise my son and I’ll work onerous to reveal we’re higher than this.”
The prank name added insult to damage for Sanders, who slid down the draft board earlier than being picked up by the Cleveland Browns within the fifth spherical. The timing of the prank made it notably merciless, sparking outrage from analysts and followers alike.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Clinton Yates beforehand criticized the incident, calling it reckless and damaging to each Shedeur and Ulbrich’s skilled integrity.
The Falcons group additionally launched an announcement saying it had “proactively addressed the scenario internally” and wouldn’t contest the positive.
As for Jax Ulbrich, the staff confirmed he’s collaborating in group service initiatives alongside his father.
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